Construction projects, businesses increased in Greensburg in 14

Greensburg grew in 2014, with the number of new construction projects and new businesses rising significantly from 2013.

The city Planning Department presented its annual report to city council Monday, showing a positive year for the city.

Councilman Jonathan Vesely pointed to Seton Hill University's construction of a dance and visual arts center on West Otterman Street and the Westmoreland Museum of American Art's major renovation of its North Main Street building as the city's most significant construction projects in decades.

There were four cranes working on these new buildings for the first time in 30 years, Vesely said.

The Planning and Zoning Department collected a total of $213,070 in building permits, occupancy permits and related fees in 2014, up more than 31 percent from last year's total of $146,012.

According to the report, 24 businesses signed new leases for retail and office space downtown, while three businesses canceled existing leases.

A lot of that is trickle down from Seton Hill, said city Planning Director Barbara Ciampini.

The college's new developments and heightened downtown presence has spurred more businesses to want to set up shop in Greensburg, Ciampini said.

The Stack Hookah Lounge, which opened on West Otterman Street over the summer, is one example of a business that chose a location close to college facilities, Ciampini said.

Downtown Greensburg has changed a lot in the last five years or so, she said.

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Construction projects, businesses increased in Greensburg in 14